Choose Your Ritual · 8 comments ·

Handmade Soap vs. Commercial Soap: What's Really Different?

The SelesTeres Journal · Choose Your Ritual
By Nina, founder of SelesTeres · Originally published January 28, 2023 · Full-length edition

SelesTeres editorial image for Handmade Soap vs. Commercial Soap: What's Really Different?

The quick answer

Both handmade and commercial cleansing bars can clean effectively. The meaningful differences are in the finished formulation, ingredients, fragrance, format and how your skin responds—not a rule that mass-produced products are harmful and handcrafted bars are always gentler.

Which is better: Handmade Soap vs Commercial Soap

Artisan Soap

2 Minute Read

Let me start with one of our favorite things: self-care.
Picture this: you make time for your home spa day using your best shower gel and the fancy soap you've been saving because it came with your last perfume, and it smells so nice. You put all the time and effort into making your skin and body feel clean and amazing before getting into your best PJs. You even put on some lotion and oil on your hair, and now you're ready to relax.
Now, what if I told you that because of the soap you used, your skin is now having difficulty breathing, replenishing, and nourishing itself?
In this article, I'm going to tell you exactly why that is, and a simple solution! We'll go over the different ingredients in commercial and artisan soaps and the benefits natural soap bars offer.

What is in commercial soaps?

While commercial soaps can be great to clean certain surfaces of your house or even toys, they often leave a variety of chemical elements behind on your skin.
The most common ingredients in commercial soaps include some that you've probably heard of: parabens, fragrances, colorants, petrochemicals, sodium stearate, and more.
The chemicals usually found in these soaps clog the pores, can over-exfoliate your skin which removes its natural oils, and is not as thorough when removing dirt. Luckily, artisan soaps are here to help!

Artisan Soap Bars Key Ingredients

Some of the key ingredients for artisan soap bars include:
  • Essential Oils
  • Shea Butter
  • Extra virgin Olive Oil
  • Coconut Oil
  • Clays
  • Herbs
All these natural and carefully selected ingredients will ensure your skin feels great for a long period of time. Think of it like a gift for your future self and skin.
Herbal Artisan Soap

Olive oil and Essential oils in artisan soaps

The main function of these wonderful ingredients is to offer the functionality and the loveliness of the soap. Olive oil allows for the bar soap to harden and offers a gentle cleansing feature suitable for all skin types.
Essential oils are what lock the scent to the bar soap. These are natural alternatives to chemical fragrances. Additionally, each essential oil carries specific attributes. Some, like lavender for example, even include providing a sense of peace and serenity.

Differentiation in Artisan Soaps

Artisan soap bars are usually created in small batches, in contrast to commercial soaps that are massed produced. By being created in small batches, it is easier to ensure and guarantee the quality of the ingredients in each of them.

Additionally, small batches ensure that every step of the process is done with the utmost care and that each batch has a unique personal touch. Every soap bar I have sold has been perfectly curated to meet the highest quality possible, and you can get one too!
Natural Artisan Soap

Artisan Soap Bar Benefits

While each artisan soap can offer different benefits, some of my favorites include:
  • Leaving your skin clean of all dirt and germs without damaging it
  • A natural scent that doesn't clog your pores
  • When properly cared for it can last longer
  • Additional benefits from the scents and botanicals used
  • Better for the environment
I have carefully formulated the scents, colors, and benefits of each soap bar, so you can find the perfect one to check out and integrate into your daily routine.
I know you want to know you're doing everything for your skin to feel and look amazing!
Be sure to check out all the amazing options I have for you and start making that change in your skincare life.

Store Recommendations:

Explore our artisan soaps

Find your aromatherapy products in my store. Have you bought one of my products? Snap a photo of your new skincare routine and tag me! I’d love to see how my products are benefiting your life. (Social links below).


Love Always, Nina ...

Questions you may still have

Is commercial soap bad for skin?

Not inherently. Suitability depends on the finished formula and your skin.

Is handmade soap always moisturizing?

No. Cleansing experience varies by formula and individual.

Are essential oils safer than synthetic fragrance?

Not automatically; both can irritate susceptible people.

How can I choose a bar?

Compare ingredients, scent, intended use, and how skin feels after washing.

Continue reading

Explore more SelesTeres rituals

Curated complements to this article—6 products across cleansing, skincare and home where relevant. Swipe to discover more; these are cosmetic and lifestyle products, not treatments for medical conditions.

For general education and inspiration only. SelesTeres products are cosmetics and lifestyle items, not medical treatments. Individual responses and sensitivities vary by person and formulation. If you have a health concern, seek advice from an appropriate healthcare professional.

8 comments

  • Sophia J.

    Thanks for sharing the very informative article. No doubt, people aren’t using handcrafted soaps now a days but I’m sure that there will be no doubt in getting rid of commercial soaps and trying Natural handmade soaps. Leaving chemical soaps and adopting natural soaps can help in getting pure natural skin back.

  • Adeeba Akram

    Very informative blog. Definitely switching to Handmade soaps now!

  • Hazel

    Natural handmade soaps trend is fading away, but these are the best kinds to improve texture and resolve all skin problems. Thank you for shedding light on its importance. I like the blog.

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